Problem for the Democrats

Editor's note: I could never get this one to flow. I have some ideas here, but I also have some very contradictory feeling on the subject. I think it comes here in my inability to "get it right."

Okay, this is a little like last decade’s news, I think 10 books about this have been written about this already. I’ve rediscovered the central problem with the Democrats. Let me set it up. I’m at work, working my ass off. This is generally unusual for me, but that’s the way it’s been lately. The TV is on, my subordinate, Snackwell, is surfing the Internet, watching the news, avoiding the tasks I’ve delegated to him, and generally pissing me off. I hope he isn’t reading!

In the news, Snackwell finds two articles of note. In the first, a student refuses to follow a teacher’s instructions, then a policeman’s instructions. The policeman grabs the 6 foot 1 inch, 275 pound student, the student punches the policeman. The policeman tasers the student. The end. Snackwell was indignant. He seemed to think the policeman didn’t have any right to touch the student. What? I think we should have tasered him (the student or Snackwell, whichever) twice.

Okay, next up, our hero was outraged by the Exxon Mobile’s record profits (39.5 BILLION). Fair enough, I’m outraged as well, but for different reasons. Smart business strategy would be to keep oil and gas prices even. Large swings in price remind us all of great risks over consumption of oil bring, and record profits almost beg changes in national policy. However, Snackwell was just pissed off about price gouging. This is valid complaint insofar as the market is not really very efficient (economics speak for properly self-adjusting). I could go on and on here, so let me get to the point.

I asked our newest political activist point blank, “Are you conservative Republican or a liberal Democrat?” I’m pretty well known to be quasi-liberal in my workplace, but he quickly distanced himself from any Democratic affiliation. What? Let me be clear, the oil companies are making record profits because Republican’s think it good for America. This is the Republican way! Crime and punishment are the Republican way! Can you be a Republican and be upset about students being tasered and record profits at Exxon?

So fellow Americans, this is problem. Our real-life example and member of the electorate is a Republican. He was offended at the idea of being a liberal. To further examine his demographics, he is a junior NCO, married with two kids. I doubt he owns stock. Yet, somehow this is the classic voter for the Republican Party. The last 6 years just might have been the best ever for the top 10% income earners in the history of our country. I am not exaggerating. Tax breaks for the super wealthy and obvious increases in income inequality. As our economy has recovered from the DotCom bubble, the economy has not raised all boat equally. The rich have benefited enormously from Bush Administration tax cuts and other policy decision, but what benefit have the so-called social conservatives received?

This was what all those books I mentioned in the first paragraph are all about. The Democrats would be very likely to enact laws and policies that would directly aid our real-life voter. Thanks to incredible message management, this voter quite literally goes directly against his own economic well-being to “vote Republican.” Our voter in this example would be likely to benefit from the Democrats welfare programs, union support, and belief in fair trade (not free trade).

In the end, it is precisely this voter and the millions just like him that make the elections close. We’re almost better off to have him. After all, about 70% of us would decide the remaining 30% of the rich folks could just cover all our heart’s desires. This would likely cause serious economic problems and more invasive, big government. We already a have enough government. On the other hand, Democrats need this guy’s vote. I happy to have competing ideas, but I need the right side to win!